Is Internet access a basic human right?

Last week, the 47 countries member of the Human Rights Council of the UN passed a resolution which stated people should be allowed to connect to and express themselves freely on the Internet. Interestingly this resolution was signed by countries which have had a slightly contentious relationship with censorship and the Internet—including China and Cuba.

Since its advent in 1973, the Internet has become increasingly important. Nowadays, the internet is omnipresent. It is a source of news, gossip, social networking, information, the Internet has also become a source of expression.

So the big question is: is Internet access a basic human right? Should there be some kind of limit to freedom of expression on the Internet?

it really is a commodity like electricity and water and for those that still do not have access to all, it should be.
Like print media ensure the same defamation and slander laws apply.

Jim on July 10, 2012 10:42 am

Calling Internet a basic human right… is taking it too far considering that so many people still do not have access to clean drinking water.
Limit to expression…. wish it would happen and people be more sane about what they write.